Sen. Boozman and Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) Call for Action to Address Arkansas Maternal Health Care Gaps

Little Rock, Ark. (Sept. 19, 2024) – U.S. Sen. John Boozman and Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) are calling for immediate action to address the critical gaps in maternal health care across Arkansas, as highlighted by the latest March of Dimes report. 

Arkansas currently ranks sixth in the nation for the highest number of maternity care deserts, with over half of its counties lacking a birthing facility or obstetric clinician. This severe lack of access also contributes to Arkansas’s second-worst “maternity access score” ranking in the country, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive health care solutions for Arkansas mothers.  

“We must change these troubling statistics. The good news is there is a shared urgency among medical providers, non-profit organizations and elected leaders to elevate maternal care in Arkansas. I will continue to be part of this crucial conversation and champion federal investments to enhance services to expecting mothers and newborns so we can save lives,” Boozman said.

With the lowest number of obstetric clinicians per 10,000 births and the fewest births attended by Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM/CM), Arkansas’s gaps in resources pose significant barriers to essential maternal care for women, especially those in rural and underserved communities. 

“Addressing these gaps is not just a matter of policy, it’s a matter of life and death for too many mothers and babies in Arkansas,” said Ashley Bearden Campbell, executive director of AIM. “AIM is committed to working with all stakeholders to create a better future for Arkansas,” she continued. 

About AIM:

Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) is a non-profit organization that strives to raise public awareness, cultivate champions for change and spur action around the issue of maternal health in Arkansas. The organization advocates for policies to address existing gaps in maternal health care – before, during and after pregnancy – and create an environment where every mother and baby have the opportunity to thrive. AIM believes that strengthening maternal health care in Arkansas will have long-term benefits for Arkansas families, communities and the economy. For more information, visit AIMforArkansas.org.